It was not as interesting as I hoped when I Googled it :( Apparently it just means "pure"..as in only human hair?

It means never-dyed, bleached or chemically straightened.

And it is actually fascinating and hugely political if you look at the virgin hair industry (for example, most weaves come from (poor) Indian women who make far, far less money for their hair than the people who then sell it to women in North America).

_________________"I'd rather have dried catshit! I'd rather have astroturf! I'd rather have an igloo!"~Isa

"But really, anyone willing to dangle their baby in front of a crocodile is A-OK in my book."~SSD

It was not as interesting as I hoped when I Googled it :( Apparently it just means "pure"..as in only human hair?

It means never-dyed, bleached or chemically straightened.

And it is actually fascinating and hugely political if you look at the virgin hair industry (for example, most weaves come from (poor) Indian women who make far, far less money for their hair than the people who then sell it to women in North America).

Ohhhh okay. That makes more sense why it would be political then.

What is with people exploiting women in India? (I just read about the surrogacy trade there recently)

Here, evangelical Christian ladies of some sects are prohibited from cutting their hair (or wearing pants). Anyone with long, nice hair who walks around in certain parts of cities will get approached about selling their hair, but the xtians are the main source. And they often get their hair stolen- on a crowded bus, usually, or in a station, people often get their hair cut off and can't do anything about it. (and then their church usually punishes them for being a loose woman, but don't get me started on churches here).

Also, I find it interesting that short hair=loose woman seems to be a cross-cultural association. In France, after WWII and the end of German occupation, women who had "gotten friendly" with occupying troops got their head forcibly shaved. It's still a really strong image.